TOP: Edamame Tortellini, BOTTOM: Massaman Short Rib / Photo: Andrew Pollack
The Blue Elephant
If there’s a street in suburban Philadelphia that deserves the honorary title of Montgomery County’s “Restaurant Row”, it would have to be awarded to the stretch of shops on North Wayne Avenue in downtown Wayne, PA. In just over a distance of one block, there are more than 10 eating “spots” in which to satisfy a hungry appetite. This doesn’t even consider the myriad of other restaurants immediately surrounding this area.
On a rainy Saturday evening, Patti and I chose to visit the newest member of Restaurant Row, The Blue Elephant, which opened in early March 2023. This beautiful eatery is yet another establishment brought to the Main Line by the corporation, Win Signature Restaurants, who are well known for a collection of dining places which includes Azie on Main in Villanova, Mikado Thai Pepper in Ardmore, Teikoku in Newtown Square and their first Blue Elephant restaurant which has been a hallmark eatery in Pottstown since 2019.
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Click here to read previous columns and spotlights!
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Simple Days Brewery opens new taproom in
East Greenville
The new taproom at Simple Days Beer (located at 231 Main Street, East Greenville) is officially open per social media posts! - After the closing of their old taproom across the street (226 Main Street) in March 2023, their team has been hard at work to open up their new space... Stop by and give them a taste! They've got some tremendous brews on tap!
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Simple Days Taproom / Photo: simpledaysbeer.com
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Chaat Wala opens in Ambler
We've got the scoop on a brand new Indian Cuisine spot that just opened its doors in Ambler, Chaat Wala! Serving up authentic and homemade Indian and Pakistani/Halal cuisine, located at 35 North Main St. in the heart of downtown Ambler... Next time you're in the area pay them a visit, and let us know what you think by sending us an email to amoveablefeastmontco@gmail.com!
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Yu's Grateful Asian Cuisine new to Plymouth Meeting
There's a new spot located at 1005 Germantown Pike in Plymouth Meeting's Valley Shopping Center (right near Venezia's Butcher Shop, The Valley Tavern, and Philly Pretzel Factory)... Yu's Grateful Asian Cuisine! We've not been yet, but always up for trying a new Asian-inspired establishment, so we'll surely be stopping by soon.
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Brewing award-winning beer at home could be easier than you think...
For all those fellow beer-lovers out there, we've got a little secret... brewing a solid batch at home could be a lot easier than you might think! We've always considered, and wanted to get into it, and this article from nytimes.com might just be the reason we bite the bullet and give it the ol' "college try"... Give it a read, and let us know your thoughts!
Share your favorite recipes, hacks, tips, and tricks with us by sending an email to amoveablefeastmontco@gmail.com!
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Hand full of hops / Photo: Ben Keough (nytimes.com)
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The Centre Theater bringing movies back to the county seat!
Movies are BACK in Norristown! Once home to five different movie theaters, it’s been more than 40 years since a film was screened in a theater in the county seat... Mark your calendars now to catch "We Bought A Zoo" on Monday, June 5th 7:00pm, and visit their website for more info here!
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The Centre Theater marquee sign / Photo: @centretheater on Instagram
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Phoenixville's Dogwood Festival and Parade
Here's another awesome event for the whole family you won't want to miss out on! Phoenixville's Dogwood Festival and Parade runs from May 17th thru the 20th, featuring food, fun, entertainment, booze, and BINGO, enjoy the traditions of the Dogwood Festival with new and exciting twists for 2023! (visit the link above for more details and information)
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Festival of Fountains at Longwood Gardens
Running from May 11 thru September 24th, be sure to get to Longwood Gardens to experience the Festival of Fountains! From their all-new Drones & Fountains Shows soaring through the sky… to vibrant Illuminated Fountain Performances… brilliant blooms filling the Gardens with breathtaking beauty… and starlit evenings spent in the Beer Garden… You don't want to miss this season at Longwood! Visit here to learn more!
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Spring Concerts you won't want to miss!
Looking to move and groove with family and friends this spring in and around the Main Line? Well you've come to the right place! Main Line Today dropped an article with a bunch of 'can't miss' concerts happening this spring... Check it out by visiting the link here! We hope to see you there!
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ANOTHER $100 Gift Card to Blue Bell Inn!
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Sign up to be a member of the A Moveable Feast Members Club, and you'll be entered to win a $100 Gift Card to Blue Bell Inn! The Blue Bell Inn is one of Montgomery County's finest restaurants. If you've ever been, you know, if you've never been, you have to go! Just click this link and become a member today. And remember, a full 10 percent of your .99 cent membership goes directly to the Montco Anti-Hunger Network each month. Let's eliminate food insecurity in Montco!
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Blue Bell Inn dishes! / Photo: Blue Bell Inn on Facebook
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Congrats to our April monthly giveaway winner!
(Family Four-Pack of Tickets to Elmwood Park Zoo!)
Ellen B., from Glenside
...is the lucky winner of a Family Four-Pack of Tickets to Elmwood Park Zoo! Congratulations Ellen, and thanks for being a member and a reader!
As a member of the A Moveable Feast family, a portion of our winners .99 cent monthly membership goes directly to the Montco Anti-Hunger Network. Please consider becoming a member today by simply clicking on the membership link at the bottom of this email.
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A Moveable Feast swag offer!
Share the link to this newsletter with 10 of your friends, and if they sign on to receive our free newsletter, or even if they don't, you'll receive this NEW A Moveable Feast mug, and a pen! All you have to do is email us to let us know you did indeed send the link to 10 friends and we'll send you a mug! Oh, and just to make it as easy as possible, here's the link!
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...the rest of Andrew's Spotlight
Upon entering The Blue Elephant of Wayne, you’ll be taken in by the warm, rich design that pervades the two tiered restaurant. There’s an immediate appreciation for the sophistication and elegance that extends from the lovely chandeliers to the plush drapery to the mirrors and other various accents throughout. Perhaps the most outstanding feature on the first floor is the classy attractive bar with its sprawling wood paneled arches that adorn the back wall. Several original cocktails appear on the bar menu with a special section devoted to various sakes and Japanese whiskies. There are a few tables on the first floor, however the great majority of seating can be found upstairs on the bright and cheery second floor. To access this area, please note that one must climb several stairs as there is no passenger elevator on the premises.
Once seated, we were greeted by our server, Lep, who described the rather unique type of cooking we would be experiencing tonight. Lep told us that the kitchen specializes in Asian-Fusion cuisine featuring the combined influences of Italian, Japanese and Thai cooking. As such, one will find many creative entrees on the menu that combine a variety of Italian pastas with contemporary Asian sauces, spices and other distinctive Far Eastern culinary touches. Behind the scenes, extending upward from the first floor kitchen to the second floor, are two highly useful “dumb-waiters” constructed to facilitate the transport of food from downstairs to upstairs and vice versa. The wait staff could not be more appreciative!
Prior to appetizers, Patti and I started with a small loaf of Hokkaido Milk Bread which was served with miso honey butter and strawberry yuzu jam. Our two appetizers were recommendations provided by Lep, who highly suggested that we try the Zucchini Fritters and the Philly Special Sushi Roll. The fritters were enhanced by melted mild Gorgonzola cheese and seasoned with togarashi (a mixture of Japanese spices including red chile pepper). The sushi roll was expertly crafted and contained lightly seared Kobe beef, tempura shrimp, melted blue cheese and eel sauce. This was truly an outstanding choice! Several other sushi rolls, hand rolls and nigiri appeared on the menu, all of which looked very tempting for the next time we visit the restaurant.
Our entrees were exemplary of the fine Fusion creations previously mentioned above. Patti loved the Edamame Truffle Tortellini which blended typical edamame soybeans with asparagus and shiitake mushrooms inside fresh made Italian style tortellini. This pasta dish was enriched with a delightful herb cream sauce over which was a citrus foam created from yuzu fruit. I would make a note of this one! l, in turn, ordered the Massaman Short Rib entrée which featured short rib beef in a minimally spicy yellow Thai curry sauce. The dish was accompanied by lightly charred onions, grilled pineapple pieces and roasted potatoes. I did enjoy this entrée although I thought that the beef was slightly chewier than expected.
A few desserts were described to us and I couldn’t resist trying the delectable passion fruit chocolate cake that could easily be shared by two people. All in all, The Blue Elephant is a gourmet dining experience that you’re not likely to see duplicated elsewhere. It’s a wonderful addition to downtown Wayne and it brings unique style and flavor to Montgomery County’s popular Restaurant Row.
Rating: 4.0 / 5
The Blue Elephant
110 N Wayne Ave
Wayne, PA 19087
(484) 580-6142
The Blue Elephant (Wayne) on Facebook
The Blue Elephant (Wayne) on Instagram
HOURS:
Mon-Thurs 11:30AM - 9:00PM
Friday 11:30AM - 9:30PM
Saturday 10:30AM - 9:30PM
Sunday 10:30AM - 9:00PM
(Brunch on Saturday & Sunday 10:30AM - 3:00PM)
We'd love to hear some of your personal favorites, feedback, comments, and suggestions, so let us know what you think by sending us an email to amoveablefeastmontco@gmail.com!
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